Oslo’s twin towers

NORWAY. Oslo City Hall’s twin towers seen from its northern side. It’s where the main entrance & the Astronomical Clock are.

Clearly, it’s an important attraction. It was one of the edifices glowing brightly against the deep blue sky the night I first stepped on Norwegian soil. I knew it was something I had to tour during the day. That would be easy, it was only a block away from where I was staying in the city center.

The Oslo City Hall frontage

A brick building inspired by the Stockholm City Hall was voted as Oslo’s “structure of the century” as decade ago. Exuding strength, the structure with its characteristic twin towers stands like a fortification by the bay of the Oslo fjord—the Oslo City Hall.

The main entrance.

The Oslo radhus is the city’s administrative body and the seat of the City Council. From the drawing board, it took thirty years for the plan to be realized, with a brief pause in construction on the outbreak World War II. In 1950, the Oslo City Hall designed in the Functionalism architectural style was completed and officially inaugurated.

A closer look ar the astronomical clock.

At a closer look, the City Hall is more than just the brick-clad ensemble of cubes it exhibits from a distance. The building is a storybook of Norway’s history and culture, and these historic tales unfold along the art packed corridors leading to the main entrance. If I didn’t any better, I would think the place was a museum.

I believe anyone would think the same. From the doors to the walls, the establishment is blanketed with elaborate carvings and ornaments.

Artworks depicting Norse legends adorn the exterior walls.

“The Death of Balder” shows the battle of the giants & the gods. Loki deludes Hod into slaying his half brother, Balder

Nidhogg (the one who cuts with malice or evil) is a deagon-like serpent beast who gnaws & tears the third root of ash Yggdrasil, the root that leads to the Kvergjelmir in Niviheim (the underwolrd, kingdom of the dead)

Froy, the god who rules over the fruits of the earth & protector of domestic animals, meets the female giant Gerd (of the earth) in the Baree grove

The showcase of Norway’s finest artists from the early half of the 20th century is carried through the interior. Artist Henrik Sorensen’s depiction of Norse legends and history, images of World War II included, in his “Administration and Festivity” entitled murals adorn the walls of the grand Central Hall, one of the most important rooms of the building.

The great Central Hall with artist Henrik Sorensen’s murals is where the annual Nobel Peace Prize Awards ceremony is held

In the same hall is where important civic and ceremonial events take place, one of the most significant is the annual ceremony held every 10th of December. Distinguished guests and dignitaries from across the globe gather in the Great Hall for the Nobel Peace Prize Awards Ceremony.

Today, the Oslo City Hall records hosting more than 300,000 local and foreign guests. Summer would be an ideal time to visit as complimentary guided tours are extended daily with no prior booking required, and on Sundays during these months a Carillon concert is held in the east tower. For the rest of the year, the concert is held every first Wednesday of every month.

The Munch Room, named after Norway´s most famous artist. Munch’s “Life” painting hangs on the wall

I want to take this home.

The fairy tale frescoes of Storstein room in the West gallery was inspired from the dream of Queen Ragnhild, mother of King Harald the Hair-Haired

Festgalleriet or the Ceremonial Gallery is the 2nd largest function room

The session hall

Ink in the Oslo City Hall on your checklist when traveling to Norway. It’s worth the visit.